International reply coupon: Difference between revisions
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[[zh:国际回信券]] | [[zh:国际回信券]] | ||
International reply coupon, or simply IRC, is a coupon that can be exchanged at any [[Universal Postal Union]] (UPU) members. This coupon was introduced | '''International reply coupon''', or simply '''IRC''', is a coupon that can be exchanged at any [[Universal Postal Union]] (UPU) members. This coupon was introduced during the Rome Congress in 1907.<ref name=":2">[https://www.upu.int/en/universal-postal-union/activities/philately-ircs/international-reply-coupons-ircs International Reply Coupons]. UPU. [Last accessed on May 25, 2026]</ref> | ||
On 17 September 2025, at the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), the UPU member countries decided, with a view to adapting and simplifying the universal services, to discontinue the IRC as of 31 December 2026. In celebration of the exceptional legacy of the IRC, a special commemorative product will be released.<ref>[https://www.upu.int/en/press-release/2025/press-release-end-of-a-chapter-start-of-a-legacy-the-international-reply-coupon-enters-the-histo Press Release: End of a chapter, start of a legacy – the international reply coupon enters the history books]. UPU. December 15, 2025. [Last accessed on March 11, 2026].</ref> | On 17 September 2025, at the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), the UPU member countries decided, with a view to adapting and simplifying the universal services, to discontinue the IRC as of 31 December 2026. In celebration of the exceptional legacy of the IRC, a special commemorative product will be released.<ref>[https://www.upu.int/en/press-release/2025/press-release-end-of-a-chapter-start-of-a-legacy-the-international-reply-coupon-enters-the-histo Press Release: End of a chapter, start of a legacy – the international reply coupon enters the history books]. UPU. December 15, 2025. [Last accessed on March 11, 2026].</ref> | ||
== | == To Buy and Exchange == | ||
* IRCs are sold online in post entities of some places, such as Germany and France. | |||
* UK suspended the issue of IRC since December 31, 2011 due to the shortage of needs, but still accept IRC to redeem postage. | |||
* Some entities can't exchange IRCs issued by themselves, such as South Korea. | |||
* The Holy See can exchange IRCs issued by themselves immediately, which allows customer to buy postage stamps with discount in an indirect way. Using 1.3 EUR to buy a IRC allows to redeem 3.35 EUR for an unregistered airmail destinated to Australia.<ref>[https://www.xiaohongshu.com/discovery/item/68cef569000000001300c7a1 <nowiki>如何使用回信券（便宜购买邮票）—梵蒂冈 [How to use IRCs (to buy postage stamps with discount - The Holy See]</nowiki>]<small>🔐</small>. REDnote. September 21, 2025. [Last accessed on May 25, 2026]. <small>(in Simplified Chinese)</small></ref> | |||
== Extended Reading == | |||
* [https://www.ctt.gov.mo/MacauPost/Contents/IRCoupons.aspx?lang=en-us 10 versions of IRC - Macau Post] | * [https://www.ctt.gov.mo/MacauPost/Contents/IRCoupons.aspx?lang=en-us 10 versions of IRC - Macau Post] | ||
== Reference == | == Reference == | ||
Revision as of 16:37, 24 May 2026
International reply coupon, or simply IRC, is a coupon that can be exchanged at any Universal Postal Union (UPU) members. This coupon was introduced during the Rome Congress in 1907.[1]
On 17 September 2025, at the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), the UPU member countries decided, with a view to adapting and simplifying the universal services, to discontinue the IRC as of 31 December 2026. In celebration of the exceptional legacy of the IRC, a special commemorative product will be released.[2]
To Buy and Exchange
- IRCs are sold online in post entities of some places, such as Germany and France.
- UK suspended the issue of IRC since December 31, 2011 due to the shortage of needs, but still accept IRC to redeem postage.
- Some entities can't exchange IRCs issued by themselves, such as South Korea.
- The Holy See can exchange IRCs issued by themselves immediately, which allows customer to buy postage stamps with discount in an indirect way. Using 1.3 EUR to buy a IRC allows to redeem 3.35 EUR for an unregistered airmail destinated to Australia.[3]
Extended Reading
Reference
- ↑ International Reply Coupons. UPU. [Last accessed on May 25, 2026]
- ↑ Press Release: End of a chapter, start of a legacy – the international reply coupon enters the history books. UPU. December 15, 2025. [Last accessed on March 11, 2026].
- ↑ 如何使用回信券（便宜购买邮票）—梵蒂冈 [How to use IRCs (to buy postage stamps with discount - The Holy See]🔐. REDnote. September 21, 2025. [Last accessed on May 25, 2026]. (in Simplified Chinese)
